Apparatus for separating precious metals from magnetic ores



(No Model.)

G. P. PIKE. APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING PRECIOUS METALS FROM MAGNETIG ORES.

N0.'581,032. Pat entedApL'ZO, 1897.

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- UNITED STATES PATENT @EETCE.

CHARLES F. PIKE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING PRECIOUS METALS FROM MAGNETIC ORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 581,032, dated April20, 1897.

Application filed April 6, 1894. Serial No. 506,655. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. PIKE, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,haveinvented certain Improvements in Apparatus for Separating PreciousMetals from Magnetic Ores, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to ore-washers of the form having flumes oranalogous receiving vessels with riffles thereon, in which the metal isrecovered.

My invention has for its object a construction which prevents themagnetic ore or black sand gaining access to and accumulating in theriffie, thereby always maintaining it and its contained mercury in theirnormal condition and avoiding the washing or escape of the mercury fromthe riffle.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of aflume with riffles embodying my improvements, the same being broken awayand illustrating difierent forms of the improvement; and Fig. 2 is aplan View of the same.

Arepresents the fiume,and B B 13 different forms of riftles for use onthe flumes. Whatever may be the formor construction of riffle used, itis included, either partly or wholly, within a field of magnetic orelectrical force which acts to prevent the black sand accumulating inthe riffle, as described hereinafter.

As shown at B, the riffie is depressed below thebottom of the flume andits under side is provided with an electromagnet Z9, of which the riffleitself may form the pole. This magnet 19 is in circuit with the sourceof supply b to act to draw below the surface of the mercury all of themagnetic ore as it is washed down the fiume, the shutting off of thecurrent or the interruption thereof permitting at intervals the risingof the black sand above the mercury, so that it may be carried off bythe current of water on the flume. If desired, the opposite'edges of theriffle may be provided with lips b overhanging upon and into andpenetrating the mercury to avoid any liability of black sand finding itsway down between the bottom of the riffle or flume and the mercury.'

As indicated at 13 the riffle is provided with a second series ofmagnets f above the riffie,

which act attractively to maintain the particles of sand suspended inthe water of the fiume. The magnets may be constantly or intermittentlycharged. when the latter is effected, a suitable circuit-breaker g isincluded in the circuit for said magnets.

By employing the intermittently-charged magnet the black-sand particlesare repeatedly and successively dispersed and attracted to scatter suchparticles and afford freedom of escape of the metal particles to themercury.

At B is a shown a form of bar-riffle on the top surface of the flume,but, as before stated, any form of riffle may be used.

The magnets for the different riffles may be in a common circuit or eachhave its individual circuit.

The lips or flanges 19 maybe of any suitable material, and they may berigid or flexible, as desired, and if the requirements of service admitthey may be dispensed with.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patcut, is-

1. In combination, a body of mercury upon or over which ore is placed orcaused to move, an electromagnet above said body of mercury, anelectromagnet below said body of mercury, and electric circuits in whichsaid magnets are situated.

2. In combination, a body of mercury upon or over which ore is placed orcaused to move, an intermittently-actin g electromagn et above said bodyof mercury, an electromagnet below said body of mercury, and electriccircuits in which said magnets are situated.

3. In combination with an ore -washing fiume, a riffle thereoncontaining mercury, and overhanging edges, 17 at the opposite ends ofthe riffle, the inner free ends of said edges being below the uppersurface of the mercury.

4. In combination with an 'ore washing flume, a riffle thereoncontaining mercury, overhanging edges, N, at the opposite ends of theriffle, the inner free ends of said edges being below the upper surfaceof the mercury, and a magnet above said riffle. V I

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. PIKE.

Witnesses:

Tnos. S. RODGERS, S. J. VAN STAVOREN.

